Former midfielder Emmanuel Petit targeted the England international, claiming that "certain young players haven't done enough to justify the confidence that Arsene has in them. Walcott; somehow he's going to have to reach the next stage. It's been years that he's been at the same level."

The Frenchman's comments only add to speculation linking Walcott with a summer departure from Arsenal, but which club other than Arsenal could kick-start the winger's ailing career? talkSPORT takes a look…

Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish are crying out for a pacey winger like Walcott to give their attacking game more urgency, as the manner in which Craig Bellamy has overshadowed Dirk Kuyt and, even more embarrasingly, Walcott's out-of-sorts England team-mate Stewart Downing, has proved this season. A £20m acquisition from Aston Villa last year, Downing has failed to deliver any goals or assists for Liverpool in 23 Premier League outings, while Theo has a far more respectable three goals and seven league assists for the Gunners this term. Kenny Dalglish proved last year by signing Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson that he intends to nuture young English talent at Anfield, so why not Walcott?

THEO WALCOTT TO… CHELSEA?

Under Andre Villas-bBoas, Chelsea are embarking on a transitional period which will see promising young players willing to adapt under a new manager replace their ageing, pampered stars. Walcott's squeaky clean image and off-field demeanour will appeal to Villas-Boas, who could slot the winger nicely into one of the wide-forward positions in his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Walcott's man-of-the-match performance in Arsenal's resounding 5-3 victory at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile, will still be fresh in the Portuguese manager's memory.

THEO WALCOTT TO… QPR?

By snapping up Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Bobby Zamora, QPR's owners proved they are willing to match their lofty ambitions by paying top dollar for English talent. If the Rs avoid relegation this season, don't be totally surprised to see players of Walcott's calibre joining the ambitious Super Hoops in the summer, especially with the chance to remain in London potentially trumping any move up north for Walcott. Currently using either Jamie Mackie, a natural centre-forward, or Armand Traore, a full-back, in QPR's left midfield berth, Mark Hughes will be prioritising this position for strengthening.

THEO WALCOTT TO… ASTON VILLA?

Losing Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the summer was a major blow for Aston Villa and Charles N'Zgbia has failed to adequately replace the threat from wide areas that the two departed players provided. The pace and thrust of Walcott could dovetail nicely with his England international team-mate Darren Bent and Villa are a big enough club to convince the Arsenal man that leaving the Emirates needn't be a major step down.

While it hasn't gone quite to plan for Walcott since leaving the Saints for Arsenal in 2006, his former club look poised to rejoin the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2005, and an emotional return to the south-coast may appeal to Theo, if Southampton are willing to match his own ambitions. Nigel Adkins has yet to replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain since he left for the Emirates last year, so who knows? It would be a major surprise, but football's always throwing up the unexpected!

Where do you think Theo Walcott will be playing next season? Is he better suited to one of the clubs mentioned above than Arsenal? Let us know by leaving a comment below…